Term 4 Week 7 2024

We are now in the season of Advent, the start of the liturgical calendar year. Like many of the other seasons of the liturgical year, Advent gives us a time to pause and reflect. I suspect many of you are like me and need to take these times for stillness in our very busy lives and give thanks for all that we have, seek support when it is needed and reach out to others who may have lost hope in their lives. Advent equals hope, gratitude and joy – I hope that these are gifts that you can experience during this season.

Last week I very proudly introduced our Children’s University Graduates of 2025 to the Minister of Education, Blair Boyer, as they received their certificates at a graduation ceremony at Bonython Hall. We had a strong cohort of students complete at least 30 hours of learning in activities outside the classroom and school and I hope that our numbers continue to increase next year. I would also like to thank the parents who support their child’s involvement in this amazing experience. Many of the activities involve the need for transporting to a venue such as the Adelaide Zoo or the South Australian Museum or others. I hope that this ‘learning’ time together was also a fun time together.

This week, I shared via Direct message (SEQTA Engage app) the class structures for 2025. We have completed class placements now and your child’s class and teacher for 2025 will be included in your child’s report which will be released on SEQTA Engage on Tuesday 10 December. If you know that your SEQTA Engage is not operating or you are experiencing any difficulties, please see myself, Katie Downie or Annette for support.

I know that I have written about this previously, but I am hoping pester power might be working. To be able to assist in any capacity at St Monica’s next year, you will need to have completed your updated RRHAN-EC training. This training will then be valid until the end of 2027. I am including the link for you in this newsletter and will also send it out via Direct Message. Once you have completed your training, please provide a copy of your certificate to Annette Reynolds in the front office. Your ongoing support for reading, excursions and may other activities is truly appreciated. The reality is without parent support, many of the activities we do would not be possible.

Today we had the last transition visit of our 2025 Term 1 Receptions. Over the last four weeks we have seen these 16 young ones start to build their connections and friendships, learn about St Monica’s and feel confident and courageous to start school next year. We welcome these inquisitive learners and their families to the St Monica’s family.

We are all getting very excited for our End of Year concert which is in only 7 sleeps! I have a strong idea that many of you are word perfect on your child’s song for the class item that they will be performing. Whilst my children are in their twenties now, I do miss these ‘traditions’ that come with the school year. My children have strong memories of their moment in the spotlight and having their cheer squad in the crowd. I am looking forward to seeing you all on Friday 6 December at Kildare College. The concert will begin at 6.30pm but children are asked to report to their class teacher by 6.15pm.

God’s blessings in the coming week,

Emily

Advent

Last week our classes began celebrating the season of Advent (although early, as Advent only begins this Sunday). Our prayer focus for the last 4 weeks of school will be looking at each of the Advent candles and their meanings.

Understanding Advent and the Advent Wreath

Advent is a special time in the Catholic Church when we prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. The word "Advent" means "coming," and during these four weeks leading up to Christmas, we focus on Jesus' coming into the world as a baby, His presence in our daily lives, and His promised return at the end of time.

A key symbol of Advent is the Advent wreath, which helps us count down the weeks while reflecting on important themes of the season. The wreath is rich with meaning:

The Circle: The wreath is a circle, representing God’s eternal love, which has no beginning or end.
The Evergreen Branches: These symbolise everlasting life, reminding us that Jesus came to bring us life that lasts forever.
The Candles: The four candles around the wreath represent the four weeks of Advent. Each candle has a special meaning and is lit in a specific order:

First Week – The Candle of Hope (Purple): This reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus as the light of the world.
Second Week – The Candle of Peace (Purple): We reflect on Jesus as the Prince of Peace who came to bring peace to our hearts and the world.
Third Week – The Candle of Joy (Pink): On this week, known as Gaudete Sunday, we focus on the joy that Jesus brings to us, especially as Christmas draws near.
Fourth Week – The Candle of Love (Purple): This candle reminds us of God’s deep and unconditional love for us, shown through the gift of His Son.

Some wreaths also include a fifth candle, called the Christ Candle (white), which is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus' birth.

The Advent wreath is a beautiful way to bring the spirit of Advent into our homes and classrooms. As we light each candle, we are invited to pray, reflect, and grow closer to God, preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus this Christmas.

Let us take this season to remember the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus brings into our lives!

Heavenly Father,

your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love.

Amen.

In Term 3, Week 8 our Year 4 students participated in the Religious Literacy Assessment Test (ReLAT) online test. The test focusses on the basic religious knowledge and not the full scope of learning that occurs in Religious Education lessons. There are 35 multiple choice questions which are drawn from the 3/4 Crossways Religious Education Curriculum that is being taught in South Australian Catholic Schools.

The Crossways Knowledge Strands that were covered in the test are:

God, Us and Faith
Sacred Texts
Church for the World
Moral Life
Sacramentality and Prayer

A great benefit of this test is it enables our school to see which areas we are doing well in and which areas that we need to improve in.

Overall, our Year 4 students did quite well scoring higher than the state average in 4 out of the 5 areas. One area, God, Us and Faith, we came under the State average and so this an area we will discuss and focus on in our planning for 2025.

Upcoming Dates – St Monica’s Parish School

Children’s Liturgy                     Saturday, 30 November          6:00pm             St Monica’s Church

Children’s Liturgy                     Sunday, 1 December               9:30am             St Martin’s Church

Graduation Mass                     Tuesday, 10 December            1.30pm             St Monica’s Church

I hope our students receive some wonderful books for Christmas and will visit their Public Libraries that run varied and interesting programs during the school holidays.

End of year return of Library Books

Please note that all library books are due back this Monday 2nd December. Thank you for your support during the year in ensuring the library books are returned.

Scholastic Book Club

Thank you for your support of the Book Club this year. This has enabled the students to purchase books of their choice and additional resources for the classrooms and library.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.

Happy Reading

The parent community has established a private group on Facebook that facilitates the trading of second-hand uniform items.

Please visit www.facebook.com/groups/stmonicasbuyswapsell and request to join the group if you are interested.

The page is ideal for selling items in good condition that your child has outgrown, or to sell items if your child is moving on. Simply post images and your contact details. Alternatively, you can join the group to take advantage of the pre-loved items that become available.

For those of you who are not on Facebook, please contact the P&F pandf.stmonicas@gmail.com and they will assist you with the sale of items.

Please note the sale of old-style uniform items is not allowed. St Monica's Parish School does not manage this page and takes no responsibility for any private sales.

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which St Monica’s learn, work and play.

May we walk gently on this land acknowledging the Kaurna people's deep spiritual connection with their country.

We pay our respects to Kaurna elders past and present and commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.